Maria Ippoliti May 18, 2011 Philosophy Wiki Project
Philosophy of Mister Rogers
Fred Rogers (1928-2003) was an educator, minister, songwriter and television host. However, he was well known for creating the famous “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood”. He broadcasted his first show in 1968, asking everyone to be his neighbor. Fred Rogers was Mister Rogers to the millions of American children who visited the neighborhood daily for 35 years. It was the longest running show on PBS in history.
Mister Rogers was the first on television to talk to children about love, divorce, death, caring, sharing, and safety. He always did what he can to keep children safe. He loved children, and he felt that children could talk to him about anything that was on their mind.
Mister Rogers had a kind, gentle, personality who saw himself more as an educator rather than a television host. He felt that if something is going to hurt a child, the parent should tell the child that it would hurt, and if it is going to be fun, the parent should tell the child that it’s going to be fun. He felt that we should not pull any punches with children.
The show was quite profound in what it had accomplished. When you entered Mister Rogers’ world, you knew you were home. His soft voice and gentle smile made children everywhere feel special. He would tell children that people can like you exactly as you are. He was their friend. He would reach right out of the screen and into the heart of the child. This was a beautiful thing. He also learned how to operate a puppet and do their voices. Later, he incorporated those voices into his own show. After changing into his cardigan sweater and his sneakers, he took children on a magical train ride to a make believe village. http://www.tvacres.com/child_mrrogers.htm It was his straight talk on all kinds of issues that had the most impact. He realized that divorce had become a big part of so many children’s lives, that he did a show on divorce for a whole week. Mister Rogers was an amazing advocate for children. Children were fascinated by him. He even asked parents, during the Pursian Gulf War, to promise their children that they would always be safe. Mister Rogers wanted to use television for the broadcasting of grace throughout the land.
It takes a certain amount of courage to be able to tell your feelings. Mister Rogers said that is the greatest challenge, because if you are trusted, people would allow you to share your inner garden with them. What greater gift is there than that! As an adult I can appreciate Mister Rogers and his show that gave me such a good feeling growing up as a child. I also can now understand the philosophy and the importance behind the show.
Fred Rogers died in his home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2003, after a short battle of stomach cancer. We will miss him, as his legacy will always live on in children and parents everywhere!
Philosophy Wiki Project
Philosophy of Mister Rogers
Fred Rogers (1928-2003) was an educator, minister, songwriter and television host. However, he was well known for creating the famous “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood”. He broadcasted his first show in 1968, asking everyone to be his neighbor. Fred Rogers was Mister Rogers to the millions of American children who visited the neighborhood daily for 35 years. It was the longest running show on PBS in history.
Mister Rogers was the first on television to talk to children about love, divorce, death, caring, sharing, and safety. He always did what he can to keep children safe. He loved children, and he felt that children could talk to him about anything that was on their mind.
Mister Rogers had a kind, gentle, personality who saw himself more as an educator rather than a television host. He felt that if something is going to hurt a child, the parent should tell the child that it would hurt, and if it is going to be fun, the parent should tell the child that it’s going to be fun. He felt that we should not pull any punches with children.
The show was quite profound in what it had accomplished. When you entered Mister Rogers’ world, you knew you were home. His soft voice and gentle smile made children everywhere feel special. He would tell children that people can like you exactly as you are. He was their friend. He would reach right out of the screen and into the heart of the child. This was a beautiful thing. He also learned how to operate a puppet and do their voices. Later, he incorporated those voices into his own show. After changing into his cardigan sweater and his sneakers, he took children on a magical train ride to a make believe village.
http://www.tvacres.com/child_mrrogers.htm
It was his straight talk on all kinds of issues that had the most impact. He realized that divorce had become a big part of so many children’s lives, that he did a show on divorce for a whole week. Mister Rogers was an amazing advocate for children. Children were fascinated by him. He even asked parents, during the Pursian Gulf War, to promise their children that they would always be safe. Mister Rogers wanted to use television for the broadcasting of grace throughout the land.
It takes a certain amount of courage to be able to tell your feelings. Mister Rogers said that is the greatest challenge, because if you are trusted, people would allow you to share your inner garden with them. What greater gift is there than that! As an adult I can appreciate Mister Rogers and his show that gave me such a good feeling growing up as a child. I also can now understand the philosophy and the importance behind the show.
Fred Rogers died in his home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2003, after a short battle of stomach cancer. We will miss him, as his legacy will always live on in children and parents everywhere!
Works Cited
“Children’s Show Hosts: Mr. Rogers”. TV Acres.com. Web. 2000-20011
http://www.tvacres.com/child_mrrogers.htm